Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 7th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 7th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 20th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (MA) der Reserve

Unit:

Marinebatterie "Marcouf" (Marine-Artillerie-Abteilung 260)

Awarded on:

June 14th, 1944

The following press article describes why Oberleutnant Ohmsen received the Knight’s Cross…

“The Battery commander of the coastal battery ‘Marcouf’, Ritterkreuzträger Oberleutnant (M.A.) Walter Ohmsen, was the first to report the beginning of the Allied landing and in doing so initiated the alarm for all units on the western European coast. By his own initiative, his battery refrained from firing at the Invasion fleet until the last minute despite the heaviest of fire from enemy warships and bomber attacks. After finally entering the fight it then was able to sink a cruiser and a transport loaded with munitions. Numerous other enemy craft were damaged. Through his heroic devotion to duty Ohmsen and his brave soldiers were able to hold their tactically significant battery despite heavy losses and becoming encircled by the enemy. Through this he created the possibility for reinforcements to be brought up, while simultaneously preventing the expansion of the Allied bridgehead and the planned enemy breakthrough to the northern coast of the Cotentin.

Already in the first phase of the Invasion Ohmsen was wounded when he personally led his men in the defense against the enemy landing forces as well as those paratroopers that had landed in the rear of his Battery. He only gave up his Battery after it had been completely destroyed, and even then only following the order of his superior.”